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Dry Conditions, Low Humidity Increase Fire Danger

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Two wildfires have broken out in northern Colorado since last Friday because of overly dry conditions. Humidity levels are currently below 15 percent along the Front Range and foothills. That coupled with strong winds has led to a Red Flag warning for fire danger on Wednesday.

But the dry conditions, and wind gusts up to 35 mph, will likely carry over to Thursday as well.

“It looks like from about six am to about 2, 3 o’clock tomorrow afternoon will be the window that we’ll see red flag conditions again along the Front Range and the Palmer Divide,” says National Weather Service forecaster Mike Baker.

Ft. Collins is under this afternoon’s Red Flag warning and that’s not good news for firefighters working to fully contain the 17 acre Grey Rock Fire. The blaze started on Monday near the entrance to the Poudre Canyon. It’s 75% contained but burning in steep and rocky terrain.

Email: brian.larson@kunc.org